Phil 004 Week 3 Day 3 Chapter 3: Clarity of an Argument
Clear Thinking/Writing, and Critical Thinking (Ch3) Argument may not really be an argument if it s not clear; confusing. Prime culprits: Missing information, definitions, context, etc. Vagueness Ambiguity
Syntax & Semantics Jordan could write more profound essays. Syntax Ambiguity: More what? Charles drew his gun. Semantic Ambiguity: Drew has more than one meaning. 57
Ambiguous Headlines: Review of Answers Groups: Tell me how the following headlines are ambiguous. Are they syntactically ambiguous or semantically ambiguous? +1 bonus point to group that gets the most correct. 58
PROSTITUTES APPEAL TO POPE Semantic ( appeal )
QUEEN MARY HAVING BOTTOM SCRAPED Semantic ( Queen Mary )
MINERS REFUSE TO WORK AFTER DEATH Syntax (does this refer after your own death or somebody else s)
MILK DRINKERS ARE TURNING TO POWDER Semantics ( turning )
SAFETY EXPERTS SAY SCHOOL BUS PASSENGERS SHOULD BE BELTED Semantic ( belted )
MAN EATING PIRANHA MISTAKENLY SOLD AS PET FISH Semantics ( man eating piranha ) Syntax (if this refers to a person who was eating a piranha, the sentence could have been structured differently)
INCLUDE YOUR CHILDREN WHEN BAKING COOKIES Syntax (does this refer to including your children in the activity or as an ingredient)
Ambiguous Headlines Second Try!! Groups: Tell me how the following headlines are ambiguous. Are they syntactically ambiguous or semantically ambiguous? +1 bonus point to group that gets the most correct. 66
KIDS MAKE NUTRITIOUS SNACKS
STOLEN PAINTING FOUND BY TREE
GRANDMOTHER OF EIGHT MAKES HOLE IN ONE
DRUNK GETS NINE MONTHS IN VIOLIN CASE
NURSE HELPS DOG BITE VICTIM
ENRAGED COW INJURES FARMER WITH AX
WOMAN GETS 9 YEARS FOR KILLING 11TH HUSBAND
KIDS MAKE NUTRITIOUS SNACKS Semantic ( make )
STOLEN PAINTING FOUND BY TREE Semantic ( by )
GRANDMOTHER OF EIGHT MAKES HOLE IN ONE Semantics ( hole in one ) Syntax (if this refers to making a hole in one of the children this sentence could be restructured)
DRUNK GETS NINE MONTHS IN VIOLIN CASE Semantics ( case )
NURSE HELPS DOG BITE VICTIM Syntax (does this refer to a victim bitten by a dog or assisting a dog in the biting of a person)
ENRAGED COW INJURES FARMER WITH AX Syntax (does this refer to a framer with an ax or a cow with an ax)
WOMAN GETS 9 YEARS FOR KILLING 11TH HUSBAND Syntax (does this refer to the a women who has killed 11 husbands or does this refer to the killing of her 11 th husband)
How is this ambiguous? De Anza college students drink more beer than Foothill college students. Are we saying collectively, De Anza students drink more (more drinks consumed by De Anza college students in total) Are we saying individually, more De Anza students drink than Foothill students (More often than not, a De Anza student will drink more.) 83
Types of Ambiguity 1. Syntax 2. Semantic 3. Grouping 84
Grouping Ambiguity When it is unclear if you are referring to a group of things collectively or individually. 85
Grouping Ambiguity Attorneys make less money than physicians. Seven people rode in that taxi. Which causes more air pollution, lawn mowers or motorcycles? 86
Group Activity Exercise 3-8 #2, 8, 9, 13, Group or individual? 2. Group 8. Individual 9. Group 11. Individual 87
Group Related Fallacies When looking at an argument beware of group related fallacies. Fallacy of Division: To conclude that what is true of a group/whole is true of the individuals/parts. Our country is the wealthiest in the world, so you must be richer than everyone in France. In 2011 the NY Giants were the best team in football, so Eli Manning must have been the best quarterback in football. De Anza is a great school, so all De Anza students must be great! 88
Group Related Fallacies When looking at an argument beware of group related fallacies. Fallacy of Composition: To conclude that what is true of an individual/parts is true of the group/whole. A car makes less pollution than a bus. Therefore, cars are less of a pollution problem than buses. Atoms are colorless. Cats are made of atoms, so cats are colorless. I love my dog, Spot. So, I must love all dogs. 89
Types of Ambiguity 1. Syntax 2. Semantic 3. Grouping 90